Putin, Ahmadinejad, the Caspian Sea nations and the US

What a difference a couple of weeks make. Remember when Columbia University Chancellor Bollinger stood near Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and castigated him for his words and conduct? Ya, well that’s Russian President Putin beside him today and they’re threatening the US on behalf of all Caspian Sea nations. Opportunities for meaning diplomacy are few. They shouldn’t be squandered in populous rhetoric designed to pander to the masses.